Football

Magpies: Cann: We owe it to the fans

MAGPIES’ striker Dan Cann will be using the Dorchester Town fans’ recent frustration as fuel to repay the Avenue faithful, as his side host Chesham United this afternoon (3pm).

Three straight losses and the departure of former boss Phil Simkin earlier this week has rocked the county town club, and although Cann admits it was sad to see his former boss go, now is the time to turn over a new leaf and deliver the performances he believes the side are capable of to get the supporters back onside.

He told Echosport: “Phil had obviously done some very good things at the club and it’s a bit of a shame, he has obviously let his passion for the club get the better of him, these things happen at the end of the day.

“The fans are the lifeblood of the club, they come in and pay their money and they are entitled to what they want to say from a football perspective. You need to use it to push you on and motivate yourself.

“Football is a results game and we haven’t got the results so people are going to be upset, we just have to try and do something to change their minds.”

Summer signing Cann, pictured, had his own issues with critics during his career at Poole Town, most notably when he was allegedly called to be sent off by a small number of home fans at Tatnam during an FA Cup game against Hunger-ford Town last season.

He added: “I had those sorts of issues at Poole for pretty much the whole time I was there but you can’t let it get to you, “You should use it to try and get yourself out of that situation and try and change people’s opinions at the end of the day.

“We have some very passionate supporters at Dorchester and I would imagine they would probably feel a bit let down at the moment.

“There were a few performances on Monday from individuals who performed well but apart from that it was pretty dire, we just feel like we owe it to the fans to put in some performances like we know we can.”

* Community Trust Chairman John Greenslade has also called on the club to organise a fans’ forum.

His statement reads: “Dorchester Town FC Community Trust calls on all fans to give a show of strength and support for Stuart Heath and the team when they play Chesham United tomorrow and commends the club board for the prompt and decisive action it has taken regarding Phil Simkin’s position.

“As a supporter’s organisation, the Trust is satisfied that the club board, under the leadership of chairman Matt Lucas, has acted appropriately and in a professional manner and will continue to give them our full backing.

“We would also encourage the club board to organise a fans’ forum in the near future to enable the supporters to have their say and to reinforce the message of togetherness.”